Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Ivy stared at him in shock. Her stomach sank. “Victim shaming?”
“Yes. On behalf of the board and of me personally, we would like to apologize for the unprofessionalism you’ve dealt with while employed under his tenure here. A letter of commendation is now in your file. Here is a copy for your records,” he said, sliding a file folder across the table to her. “Your annual review will be completed this week and you will find that your efforts to protect the bank's interests by exposing Mr. Morton and Mr. Harris have been rewarded. We would ask one more thing of you.”
Completely mind-boggled, she asked, “Yes?”
“One of the board’s requirements for a bank president is that they have a master’s degree in finance or a related area. We would like to add reimbursement of successful graduate courses completed to your contract and to encourage you to pursue an advanced degree,” Mr. Hamilton suggested.
“Are you suggesting I could be the next bank president?” she clarified.
“No one has a crystal ball to see the future, but you have a brilliant career ahead of you. You were the only one to note a problem in the first place and document it. Then you continued to follow the data trail to discover the theft went deeper than believed. We would like to support your career and hope that you’ll consider applying for that position when you finish your degree.”
“I will. Thank you. And I will take advantage of the chance to expand my knowledge with a degree program. That is very generous,” Ivy said in amazement.
The three men stood and shook her hand. She followed them to the door and thanked them again.
Mr. Hamilton drew her aside to hand her his card. “Here is my personal phone number. Do not hesitate to call.”
“Thank you for the flowers.”
“My pleasure. The Shadowridge Guardians also gave me a bear last night. I hope you found it. I wanted you to know that you had a friend here when you walked in today.”
Holding the folder to her chest, Ivy nodded. She was completely out of words as the kind man turned and walked out the door. On autopilot, she walked to her office and closed the door. No one would disturb her unless it was an emergency.
Parking her car next to the Shadowridge compound that evening, Ivy walked to the garage area and noted most people had finished for the day. The others greeted her fondly as she passed. Steele was exactly where she expected him to be—at his bench, hard at work.
She took a seat on the cot behind him and waited patiently for him to notice her or finish. It didn’t take long. Steele extinguished the torch and stood, shrugging off the protective helmet. He brushed a hand over his protective leather apron to make sure no molten sparks smoldered before stalking forward to extend a hand to help her to her feet. Wrapping his arms around her, Steele hugged her tight.
When Ivy felt the light kiss on her temple, she relaxed into her Daddy’s arms. “I expected you there when I walked out tonight.”
“I chained myself here.”
Ivy understood. He would have fought himself not to walk her out of that back entrance for the first time. She leaned back slightly to look into his eyes. “You were right. I needed to do it myself. I did, of course, follow protocol and walk out with several other employees after checking the additional security that’s been added.”
“I knew you could do it,” he praised and kissed her lightly.
“I had a visit from Erick Hamilton today,” she shared.
Steele’s gaze never wavered. “I like him.”
“I do, too. You know that could have backfired horribly.”
“That wasn’t a possibility,” Steele rebutted her statement. His tone once again brooked no argument.
“What did Mr. Harris do?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“Okay. They want me to go to school, so I will qualify to be a bank president,” Ivy told him.
“No late nights, Little girl. You need your sleep.” Before she could protest, he added, “I’ll support you in every way, but I’m always going to take care of you.”
There was no argument to that. She knew Steele would always be there for her, but he’d always be in charge.
“I don’t want to go back to my house. Can I stay here with you?” she asked.
A devastating smile spread across his lips, and she shivered against him in reaction to his potent charm. His arms tightened around her, hugging her closer. “I’m glad that was your idea. Your place is always with me, Little girl.”
“The guys won’t mind?”
“All old ladies are welcome here.”
“Do I have to be an old lady?” she asked, bristling at that name.
“Nope. You get to be my Little girl.”
“Do the others know?”
“Yes. I’m not the only Daddy in the Guardians.”
“Kade?”
Steele’s slow nod confirmed her suspicion.